Tag Archives: Carl Schurz

Want to learn how to use a power drill and make an amazing cool sculpture? Join Chicago Children’s Museum at the Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire.

The Chicago Children’s Museum is “a place where families and caregivers with infants and children are encouraged to create, explore, and discover together through play.”(1) One great place for kids to learn is the Tinkering Lab, a place for learning for children and their families. Kids can learn how to use real tools, like saws and drills, and have the freedom to choose their own projects. There is even an early learning nook for very young children.

Kim Koin, Director of Art and Tinkering Lab Studios, explains that the Tinkering Lab sees learning as a social activity. It’s a great place for kids to experiment and have wonderful conversations with their families. Kim explained, “Parents are really surprised at what kids can do.” She says a major takeaway from the Tinkering Lab is “learning from failure… We want kids to try something out, be able to test it out, and build again.” Critical thinking and problem solving are critical for kids of all ages. Tis place is heaven for young boys, you’re going to have gift ideas for 8 year old boys after just one visit. In May, the Tinkering Lab is excited to debut the Zoom Room, where kids can learn about physical science, play with force and motion with 100s of matchbox cars. There will be a station where kids can experiment with cars on different surfaces to explore friction. You can even learn how the timing to hit a car with a wrecking ball! It sounds amazing!

Chicago Children’s Museum is excited to return to Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire with a new exhibit, and meet other makers in the Chicago region as well. Last year, they had a great time with Cardboard Mechanism at our 4th annual event.

This year at the 5th anniversary Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire, they will be running “Power Drill Sculptures.” Everyone can learn how to use a power drill safely. Kids will first learn how to use a c-clamp to secure wood and then they will be trained on how to use a power drill. They will be able to build a collaborative sculpture that will develop throughout the day. Kim Koin explained: “Bring your focus. Bring your creativity.” Who knows what form that sculpture will take? We’re excited to see how it progresses!

The sun is coming to Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire! The weather is predicted to be mostly sunny with a high of 71 degrees. However, you know Chicago can be a little sneaky with the weather so remember to dress accordingly!

Wanna learn to make your own toy gun? Or maybe even shoot one at the Faire? Then join Mostly Harmless Arms to find out more!

Mostly Harmless Arms aims “to make toy guns fun for grownups.” Andrew Kane of MHA explains that “We think that the off-the-shelf blasters don’t shoot far enough for teenagers and adults to produce an active, engaging, outdoor experience that’s more fun than playing video games and better exercise as well.” They have published a variety of blaster designs for others to make, but they also sell completed blasters for those that would rather not build it themselves. It’s important to remember that complete eyewear is important with these products. Be safe and have fun!

At the Faire, they plan to have a table for participants to see the blasters, the blaster parts to see how they work. They might even have a shooting gallery so folks can try out the various blasters! Mostly Harmless Arms “want people to know these type of toys exist, that they can build their own, and that all the fun of a FPS videogame is available in meatspace.”

Want to make a cardboard grabbing claw that reaches the ceiling? Check out Chicago Children’s Museum “Cardboard Mechanisms” at the Faire!

The Chicago Children’s Museum strives to “improve children’s lives to create a community where play and learning connect.” For over the past two years, the Tinkering Lab at the museum led by a team of educators, tinkerers, and artists provides families with a space to work in with real tools like power tools, variety of materials (wood, metal and fabrics), and much more. There’s even space for toddlers to have their own tinkering experience. Kim Koin, Director of Art and Tinkering Lab Studios, explains, “We want to nurture creative scientific minds, think in new ways, have children ask their own questions and test and retest their ideas.” One popular project by kids is making a car that rolls; the Lab is developing ways to cultivate that interest.

The museum believes that kids should be encouraged to build things. Kim Koin says, “For us, tinkering is a verb. We think that when we tinker, we are developing mindsets and habits of being an innovator and problem solver. There needs to be more creative problem solvers in the world.”

For the Mini Maker Faire, they will run “Cardboard Mechanisms.” With just cardboard slats, joints, and imagination, kids and adults will be able to make a series of levers that can be made into a variety of things including a giant claw or even a monster. The Museum will also have super large pieces of cardboard and they are excited to see what giant mechanisms people create together. They want people to learn by doing in this project and realize that failure is ok. If it’s not working, try again in a different way.

Ever want to touch artwork? Have you ever wanted to shout at it? Then check out Kat Granat’s Interactive Art Booth!

Ms. Granat’s art focuses on breaking down inapproachability of the art world and bringing together art and technology. Kat Granat creates wonderfully interactive pieces that breakdown the boundaries between art and technology and between artist and audience. People can see that art and technology can be united in really meaningful ways while at the same time, she wants to show that art can be appreciated by anyone. Kat Granat hopes her work will inspire people to create and to converse. She said, “Everyone should have the joy of making a thing. It doesn’t have to be the Mona Lisa or a $30,000 robot…We need art, we need technology. We need both of those things.”

For the Faire, she’s going to show off several of her pieces and have an activity for people. She’s going to let people have a self-guided tour of her art pieces including a piece from Passive/Aggressive show and a robot from a recent show “Friendly Neighborhood Robot Factory.” In addition to showing off her incredible works, she’ll have an activity for all ages. Kat Granat will show people how to make interactive paper sculptures with LEDs in them. That sounds super exciting!

We are looking forward to seeing Kat Granat’s Interactive Art Booth at the Faire!